The Terrifying Nature of God's Holiness
The concept of God's holiness is deeply intertwined with the idea of fear or reverence in biblical and theological traditions. The biblical text frequently portrays God as an awe-inspiring figure whose holiness inspires fear. For instance, Hebrews 10:31 warns that "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" [1]. Similarly, Psalms 89:7 describes God as "very terrible" and "fearful over all surrounding Him" [2].
The holiness of God is not just a characteristic but a fundamental aspect of His nature that demands reverence and obedience. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights that God's holiness is "incomparable" and is exhibited in His character, name, words, and works [5]. This perfection of holiness in God serves as a standard for His people, who are commanded to imitate it (Le 11:44; 1Pe 1:15,16) [4, 5].
The terrifying nature of God's holiness is rooted in its contrast with human sinfulness. The biblical narrative and theological interpretations emphasize that God's holiness is not just a moral purity but also a consuming fire that cannot tolerate sin. Charles Hodge notes that the prophets, despite being sanctified, acknowledged their deep depravity before God, illustrating the profound impact of God's holiness on human self-perception [9].
The early Church Fathers also grappled with the implications of God's holiness, particularly in relation to the incarnation and the nature of God. Tertullian defended the incarnation against Marcion's disparagement, arguing that God's assumption of human flesh was not unworthy of Him [7]. Augustine, on the other hand, condemned Manichaean blasphemies that compromised God's nature and holiness [6].
The reverential fear inspired by God's holiness is not a negative or unholy fear but a godly fear that is described as a treasure to saints and a fountain of life (Pr 15:16; 14:27) [3]. This fear is rooted in the recognition of God's greatness, goodness, and forgiveness, motivating believers to holy living and service (Re 15:4; Jos 24:19) [3, 5].
The theological traditions represented across the sources converge on the idea that God's holiness is a foundational aspect of His nature that inspires reverence, fear, and a deep sense of human inadequacy. This understanding is not limited to one theological camp but is a common thread through various Christian traditions, from the Patristic era to Reformed and Catholic thought [6, 7, 9].
The biblical and theological emphasis on the terrifying nature of God's holiness underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and humility, acknowledging both His majesty and the believer's own sinfulness. As John Gill notes, true holiness is a gift from the Spirit of God, and believers are called to be established in holiness before God [8].
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 10:31 (Geneva1599) — It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God.”
- Psalms “Psalms 89:7 (YLT) — God is very terrible, In the secret counsel of His holy ones, And fearful over all surrounding Him.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness of God, The — Is incomparable -- Ex 15:11; 1Sa 2:2. Exhibited in his Character. -- Ps 22:3; Joh 17:11. Name. -- Isa 57:15; Lu 1:49. Words. -- Ps 60:6; Jer 23:9. Works. -- Ps 145:17. Kingdom. -- Ps 47:8; Mt 13:41; Re 21:27; 1Co 6:9,10. Is pledged for the fulfilment of His promises. -- Ps 89:35. His judgments. -- Am 4:2. Saints are commanded to imitate -- Le 11:44; 1Pe 1:15,16. Saints should praise -- Ps 30:4. Should produce reverential fear -- Re 15:4. Requires holy service -- Jos 24:19; Ps 93:5. Heavenly hosts adore -- Isa 6:3; Re 4:8. Should be magnified --”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — CHAP. 42. ---MANICHAEAN BLASPHEMIES CONCERNING THE NATURE OF GOD. (part 1): What can be compared to those blasphemies? Absolutely nothing, unless the errors of other sectaries be considered; but if that error be compared with itself in another aspect, of which we have not yet spoken, it will be convicted of far worse and more execrable blasphemy. For they say that some souls, which they will have to be of the substance of God and of absolutely the same nature, which have not sinned of their own accord, but have been overcome and oppress”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. IV.--GOD'S HONOUR IN THE INCARNATION OF HIS SON VINDICATED. MARCION'S DISPARAGEMENT OF HUMAN FLESH INCONSISTENT AS WELL AS IMPIOUS. CHRIST HAS CLEANSED THE FLESH.THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD IS MOST W (part 1): Since, therefore, you do not reject the assumption of a body' as impossible or as hazardous to the character of God, it remains for you to repudiate and censure it as unworthy of Him. Come now, beginning from the nativity itself, declaim(2) against the uncleanness of the generative elements within the womb, the filthy concretion of fluid and blood, of the growth ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 3:13: To the end he may stablish your hearts,.... Which are very unstable and inconstant in their frames, and in the exercise of grace, and have need to be established in the love of God, against the fears of men, the frowns of the world, the temptations of Satan, and in, and with the doctrines of grace; See Gill on Th1 3:2, unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father. There is no holiness in men naturally; what is in them without the grace of God is only a show; true holiness is from the Spirit of God; and this is a stable thing in itself, and can never b”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 50: that he abhorred himself, and repented in dust and ashes. David’s Penitential Psalms are filled not only with the confessions of sin, but also with the avowals of his deep depravity in the sight of God. Isaiah cried out, Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips. The ancient prophets, even when sanctified from the womb, pronounced their own righteousnesses as filthy rags. What is said of the body politic is everywhere represented as true of the individual man. The whole head is sick, and the whole h”